Rachel and I decided to combine our talents to establish Dixon Design House, a collaborative venture where our design processes and skills complement each other. Rachel, an interior designer, specialises in creating beautiful living spaces, while I am a graphic designer and illustrator focused on the creative design process. We both live and work out of our home on the Central Coast of NSW.
For the past 25 years I've been a freelance designer and prior to that I worked as a designer in print production. I’ve learned the importance of flexibility and communication in design. As content delivery methods continue to evolve, fundamental design principles remain essential for resonating with audiences. If you're a design agency seeking fresh visual concepts or direction, I’d love to collaborate. Additionally, I'm available for print production and packaging projects. I’m adaptable to different work settings and open to working in various locations.
My initial passion for design started with T-shirt prints. Working in the screen printing industry has greatly influenced my approach to both design and production. A strong design must work effectively across various formats and substrates. Getting the design right from the start minimises issues down the line in production.
TOOLS
I’m always keen to get the brushes out. For traditional work I use ink and watercolour for illustration. Ive been working with Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign from their original versions. Web design I like to use Wix, Mailchimp for Emails and Premier Pro for short advertising pieces.
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Premier Pro
Adobe inDesign
WIX
Sketchup
HISTORY
1991-1994
Associate Diploma in Art Art School - TAFE - Newcastle Annex.
1993-1995
Traineeship in Graphic Design with Maui and Sons Surf wear
(Rumours Clothing Company) Newcastle.
Role:
Managed a darkroom with film output for print production, using drafting tables, Letraset, and traditional compositing techniques. Specialised in graphic design and illustration for apparel and advertising. Transitioned to computer-based design in 1993, eventually advancing to the role of Art Director and Lead Designer.
1996–2000
MegaPrint | Screen Printing Firm | Rosebery, Sydney.
Role:
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Created T-shirt graphics for garment and yardage screen printing.
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Instrumental in establishing a digital workspace with state-of-the-art computer systems and digital film output.
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Promoted to Lead Designer, responsible for managing major client projects.
Notable Clients:
Triple M, Rolling Stones, U2, Tooheys, Cirque du Soleil.
Skills Developed:
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Proficient in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop for illustration and design.
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Mastery of advanced color separation and printing techniques specific to fabric printing.
2000–2005
Freelance Designer | Various Agencies | Sydney
Worked with prominent agencies, including Hulsbosch (P&O, Kellogg’s), The Attic, Hyperactive, White Agency, and others.
Skills Developed:
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Advanced design techniques across printing, publishing, and packaging.
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Enhanced expertise in photo editing, web design, and web animation.
2005–Present
Freelance Designer | Self-Employed
Independently manage a successful freelance design business, delivering high-quality creative services across various industries.